grindstone

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noun grind·stone \ ˈgrīn(d)-ˌstōn \

Definition of grindstone

1 :millstone 1

2 :a flat circular stone of natural sandstone that revolves on an axle and is used for grinding, shaping, or smoothing

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Recent Examples of grindstone from the Web

Effort and a nose-to-the-grindstone attitude, on the other hand, are readily available to everybody.

— ana veciana-suarez, miamiherald, "More students get A’s than any other grade. What does that say about us?," 27 July 2017
Seniors playing on either side of the football played their final Grindstone game at Baldwin Wallace College's Finney Stadium in the autumn of 2012.

— rich heileman, cleveland.com, "Berea, Midpark football trophy vanishes: Around The Town," 16 June 2017
Avoid disapproval and censure by keeping your nose to the grindstone.

— jeraldine saunders, The Mercury News, "Horoscopes: May 16, 2017," 16 May 2017
Clear-cut in the 19th century to make way for its eponymous grindstone quarry, the island later became the summer home of Charles Kingsmill, the first admiral of the Royal Canadian Navy, and served as a genteel hub for Ottawa society life.

— New York Times, "My Canada," 4 Jan. 2017
Sakic also needs to combat his image, fair or otherwise, as stopping short of putting in the nose-to-the-grindstone hours and immersion necessary for NHL front-office success, whether from a Hall of Famer or a guy who never played in the league.

— terry frei, The Denver Post, "Frei: Avalanche can make changes without cleaning house," 18 Sep. 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grindstone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Illustration of grindstone

First Known Use of grindstone

13th century

GRINDSTONE Defined for English Language Learners

grindstone

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noun

Definition of grindstone for English Language Learners

: a stone disc that can be turned like a wheel and that is used for sharpening tools, smoothing rough edges, etc.

GRINDSTONE Defined for Kids

grindstone

play

noun grind·stone \ ˈgrīnd-ˌstōn \

Definition of grindstone for Students

:a flat round stone that turns to sharpen or shape things

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See words that rhyme with grindstone Spanish Central: Translation of grindstone Nglish: Translation of grindstone for Spanish speakers

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grindstone

Definition of grindstone

Recent Examples of grindstone from the Web

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GRINDSTONE Defined for English Language Learners

grindstone

Definition of grindstone for English Language Learners

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grindstone

Definition of grindstone for Students

Learn More about grindstone

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grindstone

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GRINDSTONE Defined for English Language Learners

grindstone

Definition of grindstone for English Language Learners

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grindstone

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